from babies to excitement // 2019.01.29

As a child, I'd often do my chores only either to get a prize or to make amends for a wrong I did. Growing up, I slowly found myself motivated to do the same chores to show my family that I love them. The same chores that took life from me before slowly became a source of joy for me.

I believe it's the same with our faith. As infants in our faith, we observe merely out of fear or familiarity; bothersome sacrifices we do just because we felt we have to. As we mature in our faith and love for God, we find ourselves doing the same things not out of mere obligation, but as expressions of our love; we move from doing things for ourselves, to doing things for God, asking nothing in return; from slaves who wish sacrifices to end, to friends who heartily wish we can do more.

It's a long way for me, that's for sure. How about you? Where are you in your spiritual growth?

to pile up a mess, or to eagerly await // 2019.01.28

My son would often call me at work, asking me what time I'd be back home, even when it's the same time almost everyday. That's his way of telling me that he's waiting for me.

Ironically, I would also often come back home to a pile load of mess all over the house. It's amazing how a child can make the whole house, from bedroom to living room and kitchen, look like a dump site! Most of the time, I'd catch him just playing with the phone or watching TV.

After much frustration, I talked to him and told him that I felt bad coming home to such a mess, and that I didn't feel welcomed at all. I told him that if he really loves me, he should use the time waiting to make sure everything is sorted out already -- his school work, cleaning up scattered toys, eating his food, etc. Thankfully, that's what he did, and we had more time to spend together as a result.

Saint Paul reminds us to do the same thing... to "eagerly" await him! Not by just staring into nothingness, but by actively living the life He asks us to live!

I love that phrase, "eagerly await". How about you, how are you "eagerly awaiting"?

the big deal with drops and the ocean // 2019.01.21

The temptation to belittle Christ's death on the cross can be quite easy. "He is God. He will live again. So what's the deal?" But that is precisely why it is a big deal! He is God! A drop in the ocean cannot compare to the ocean itself, yet however many times we multiply the ocean, it cannot compare to the Infinite. However many 0's you add to a number, it is still meaningless compared to infinity. And yet, we have Jesus sacrificing Himself for us, and on the cross at that! Such love! If you ever feel that love is running away from you, remember that moment in the cross when instead of holding anger against us, the people who caused His death, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."